Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak is facing the risk of a criminal charge over allegations that millions of dollars were funneled from an indebted state fund to his personal bank accounts, the first time the country’s leader has faced criminal allegations.
The Malaysian attorney general confirmed late on Saturday he has received documents from an official investigation that made the link between Najib and the investment fund 1MDB. The existence of the documents was first reported by the Asian Wall Street Journal on Friday, showing some US$700 million were wired from entities linked to the fund into Najib’s accounts. The documents sent to the attorney general pave the way for possible criminal charges.
It is also one of the worst political crisis for Najib, who has come under increasing criticism over his leadership. He has denied taking any money for personal gains.
“It’s damning and disastrous for Najib,” Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs think-tank head Wan Saiful Wan Jan said.
“This is really uncharted territory in Malaysian politics. For the first time ever, we are seeing a prime minister facing the possibility of a criminal charge,” he said.
1MDB, set up by Najib in 2009 to develop new industries, has accumulated 42 million ringgit (US$11.4 million) in debt after its energy ventures abroad faltered. Critics, led by former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, have voiced concerns about 1MDB’s massive debt and alleged lack of transparency.
The Wall Street Journal report said five deposits were made into Najib’s accounts and the two largest transactions, worth US$620 million and US$61 million, were done in March 2013 ahead of general elections.
Najib has slammed the report as “political sabotage” by Mahathir to remove him. Mahathir, who stepped down in 2003 after 22 years in power but remained an influential political figure, has been leading calls for Najib to step down.
1MDB also said it has never provided any funds to the premier.
However, Malaysian Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail has confirmed that a task force investigating IMDB for alleged impropriety has given him papers “including documents related to allegations of fund transfer into the account of the prime minister.”
Abdul Gani said the task force had raided offices of three companies linked to 1MDB that were allegedly involved in the fund transfer. He did not give further details on the documents nor say what actions would be taken.
Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister, Muhyiddin Yassin also said the allegations must be investigated because they tarnish Najib’s credibility and integrity. Opposition lawmakers have said Najib should go on leave and also declare his assets.
Malaysian Minister of Home Affairs Zahid Hamidi, however, said yesterday the allegations against Najib were “reckless” and “bordering on criminal offenses,” as they were based on unverified documents. He warned police would “not hesitate to use the full force of the law against those who attempt to harm Malaysia’s economy and our democratic process.”
“Even if nothing comes up from the investigation, the damage to Najib’s reputation has been done. The pressure for him to step down will increase,” Wan Saiful said.
Najib took over the premiership in 2009. He has fought criticism over his management of the economy and was implicated in the murder of a Mongolian model nine years ago. Two security officers linked to Najib at the time were found guilty of her murder.
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